August 20th, 2013, 11:00 PM EST.

    Omni-Basileus Alexandrios Kommenos XVI, ruler of the Roman Empire of Earth looks out from his capitol in Washington D.C.. Over a thousand years ago his ancestors embarked on a campaign of conquest that brought them from ruling a faded empire perched in the armpit of the Mediterranean Sea, to extending the dominion of Rome to encompass the entire planet. From the distance, over the waves, comes the dull roar of another sub-orbital cruise-liner ferrying passengers back from the Constantine I space station. Soon, the Roman Flag would be planted upon every planet in the solar system.

    "Alex-dearie!" calls Megumi bint Radhu von Karling, his dearest lover. "Come back to bed with me."

    Alexandrios takes a sip of mead and pads back to his chamber, thanking Ahura Mazda for his blessings. It's good to be the Omni Basileus.